Here are a number of things that would like to see in cars/trucks... comments?

1: AWD on 4x4 vehicles. Honda's pickup has this, it shouldn't be difficult for any 4WD pickup to have this, as opposed to having to run in 2WD unless offroad, then explicitly flip to 4WD. If someone just wants 2WD no matter what, then flip the switch to it.

2: A HUD and some IR circuitry that can show the vehicle, and blobs around the car. This will make it easier to check for stuff in blind spots.

3: A beefed up starter motor that can allow for the main engine to be turned off at stoplights, as well as move a car at low speed. This doesn't need a full hybrid for this -- European PT cruisers have this.

4: More often keyway changes on car keys. A ford key from 1997 shouldn't be able to fit in a 2011 Ford keyway. Or, some type of mechanism allowing for more key changes.

5: Cars coming with two-way remotes. This way, one can doublecheck if the car is locked/armed, and check if it went off.

6: Heavy duty locking compartments that use real, crowbar-resistant metal. This isn't to protect against determined thieves, but ensure that a crackhead isn't going to get goodies. Similar with metal plates around the locking mechanism around door handles.

7: A car alarm like the old Dragon fogger on my old vehicle. When the alarm goes off (and it is confirmed by more than one sensor), the interior of the car fogs up (same fog as what nightclubs use -- harmless, but quite visible smoke). A car with pink smoke billowing out of the interior gets a lot more attention than just a car alarm.

8: Auto-braking on all car models (with the ability to turn it off). On my commute, I have had times where I've witnessed three rear-enders on a trip. Having some method of auto-braking faster than a human can would be useful.

9: (This intended for smaller cars). Small wheels that lift the car and can move it sideways. I've seen some French cars that can do this for awesome ease with parallel parking. Why bother with the advanced hands-free computer-based parallel parking when the vehicle can just zip sideways into a spot.

10: Ability to run a vehicle as a generator, shutting down all but a few cylinders, running the engine at as low RPM as possible, and, running the engine's power through an inverter (converting the 10Hz signal to a useful 50/60 Hz signal.) This would be quite useful when in the sticks and needing power to recharge a bunch of power tools. If done right, it would allow for 1800-2000 watts of use for 24-48 hours before being shut off (with fuel remaining so the vehicle can remain drivable.)

01-01-11, 08:53 PM

009jim

What are you? Ever heard of the KISS principle? (Keep it simple). If you get all that crepe on a vehicle you're asking for more things to go wrong. We don't need smarter cars to take the place of using our brains do we. I vehemently oppose this proposal.

How often do you find yourself out in the sticks with a bunch of power tools to be recharged???? What planet is this. Perhaps you take all your power tools on a camping trip in case you want to make a bookshelf for the tent?

01-01-11, 08:57 PM

skijor

11. A device that automatically dumps scalding coffee on the driver's crotch if he/she attempts to use a cell phone while the vehicle is moving.

01-01-11, 09:10 PM

DGozinya

Close. My Volvo has 1,2(no HUD unless something is close, but sensors all around + backup cam),4,5,8 and sorta 10(can do 110V, but not at low engine power) The future is closer than you think.

01-01-11, 09:12 PM

bigbenaugust

Quote:

Originally Posted by skijor

11. A device that automatically dumps scalding coffee on the driver's crotch if he/she attempts to use a cell phone while the vehicle is moving.

You know, some mornings, I would get in the car and grab my cell phone just to fool the sensor and then steal the coffee before getting on my bike!

01-01-11, 09:33 PM

CliftonGK1

HUD, auto-brake, parking assistance?
Enough people already can't drive properly because the vehicle has so many systems to do all the work for them. Traction control, ABS, automatic lights and wipers, GPS, etc. Screw it all and go back to manual, non-power-assisted everything. Make everyone take driver's ed and pass their test in a 1963 Ford Galaxie.

01-01-11, 10:09 PM

travelmama

Yet again, another dumb thread on a BIKE FORUM. I think this thread should be moved to the Living Car Free forum.

01-01-11, 10:13 PM

skijor

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbenaugust

You know, some mornings, I would get in the car and grab my cell phone just to fool the sensor and then steal the coffee before getting on my bike!

1. ford offered awd on the harley f150 and dodge offered awd on crew cab dakotas. it is not difficult, but it is expensive. traditional 4x4 systems do not allow slip between the front and rear diff (more traction off road). AWD vehicles have a center diff/slip mechanism in addition to the ones on each axle. without the center unit, you could get "wind up" and the transfer case will literally explode.

7. in high school we mounted a nightclub fogger in an old car and drove all over town. we left a thick trail of "smoke" and caught some attention, but after several hours never saw any sign of an authority figure.

01-01-11, 10:33 PM

bjtesch

Quote:

traditional 4x4 systems do not allow slip between the front and rear diff.

Our 1999 Jeep GC has full time AWD, with a slip mechanism in the transfer case. It doesn't have any 2WD modes at all.

01-01-11, 10:39 PM

thirdgenbird

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjtesch

Our 1999 Jeep GC has full time AWD, with a slip mechanism in the transfer case. It doesn't have any 2WD modes at all.

correct. it is not a traditional 4x4 system. it is an AWD system.

AWD systems are very nice and have advantages on slick or wet hard surfaces. 4x4 systems do better "off road" in mud/snow. in most cases it makes sense that SUVs have AWD while trucks have 4x4. the only exception may be trucks that were focused more as people carriers for road use (like the two that were offered with AWD)

if an AWD vehicle also has a 4x4 setting, it is probably using an electronic locking center differential further adding to the cost and complexity.

01-01-11, 11:38 PM

jsharr

I want a fold out table in the dash, napkin dispenser and ketchup squirter.

Back in school, had a buddy who ran the line from his windshield washer reservoir through is dash. He filled the reservoir with booze and could use the windshield washer feature to pour himself or his passengers a drink.

01-02-11, 07:11 AM

apclassic9

acceleration lights - the opposite of brake lights - on front & back of vehicle, which goes on when the driver steps on the gas, so everyone else can see whether the idiot behind you has stepped on the gas instead of the brake.

Also, some sort of wi-fi warning system a driver can transmit to nearby vehicles to warn them about things on the road, or maybe that some driver has left thier door open?

01-02-11, 07:31 AM

Alfster

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliftonGK1

HUD, auto-brake, parking assistance?
Enough people already can't drive properly because the vehicle has so many systems to do all the work for them. Traction control, ABS, automatic lights and wipers, GPS, etc. Screw it all and go back to manual, non-power-assisted everything. Make everyone take driver's ed and pass their test in a 1963 Ford Galaxie.

After a bad experience with a Mercury Sable loaded with power everything, I purchased our next vehicle (Toyota Matrix) with as little electronic options as possible. I even have to roll down my own windows. However at least I can get them down ... on the Sable, they constantly had problems.

01-02-11, 07:51 AM

spock

This is not an invention per say. It's more of a genius, or revolutionary idea to eradicate car accidents forever and help us go into 21st century as an example to other extraterrestrial civilizations all over universe. Something that humanity should be proud of for years to come while never having to look back at the sorry state that automobile industry that we have today. Screw the electric motor or magnetic propulsion system. This is where it's at.

Ready?

ok

Instead of an airbag, they should install a machete pointed at drivers throat.

Think about it... Nobody would go more than 3 mph, maybe 3.75 for the extra experienced drivers. No need for seat belts or any other safety precaution.

Heaven on earth just like that.

So what do you think? Should we propose this idea to the senate or what? Maybe a petition?

I would like to see a debundling of options. I want a leather seats, good stereo, a/c. those always come in at least 2 levels of optional equipment that costs 5k. I have no desire for a sunroof, power seats, heated seats, "luxury light package", etc.

Why is the cigarette lighter still the standard 12v power source? Can anyone think of a clunkier connector?

01-02-11, 09:31 AM

RunningPirate

Once upon a time, I'm told, people drove without ABS, traction control, all wheel drive, automatic braking, perimeter sensors, GPS and all of the assorted what-have-you. Yet, somehow, they managed not to go careening over the nearest cliff in a fiery ball of flame. I wonder how they did it?

Oh! I know! They knew how to drive!

Don't get me wrong. There are certain safety advancements that I agree are good to have (e.g. Airbags). Some things, however, seem to just remove the driver one more step from the task of driving and knowing how to handle the vehicle in emergency situations. If you look at it, it seems that in the past 20 years, driving has become secondary or tertiary (or, dare I say it: Quaternary) to everything else: Eating, drinking, talking on the cell, texting, dealing with the kids, futzing with various electronic devices, grooming and looking for the next drive through. Couple that with the additional things that are being put on cars (ABS, traction control, etc..) and now we have a group of people, zooming about, piloting 4000 lb vehicles, completely out of tune with their surroundings.

[/Retro Rant]

01-02-11, 09:53 AM

trustnoone

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlts22

1: AWD on 4x4 vehicles. ... If someone just wants 2WD no matter what, then flip the switch to it.

So instead on a manual transfer case that switches from 2 hi to 4 hi you want a transfer case that switches from 4 hi to 2 hi? Seems pointless to me but I'm sure it won't take more than a handle redesign

Quote:

2: A HUD and some IR circuitry that can show the vehicle, and blobs around the car....

They're called windows and mirrors

Quote:

3: A beefed up starter motor that can allow for the main engine to be turned off at stoplights, as well as move a car at low speed. This doesn't need a full hybrid for this -- European PT cruisers have this.

Sounds like they're already invented just need to be brought to North America. North Americans would probably be too stupid to use it though until petrol gets to European prices.

Quote:

4: More often keyway changes on car keys. A ford key from 1997 shouldn't be able to fit in a 2011 Ford keyway. ....

Change the keys. Is this an invention? Does it really matter what the key looks like as long as only the owner can drive away with the car?

Quote:

5: Cars coming with two-way remotes. This way, one can doublecheck if the car is locked/armed, and check if it went off.

Neat idea. One that electrically shocks the owner when the alarm goes off at 2AM from blowing leaves would be good too.

Quote:

6: Heavy duty locking compartments that use real, crowbar-resistant metal. This isn't to protect against determined thieves, but ensure that a crackhead isn't going to get goodies. Similar with metal plates around the locking mechanism around door handles.

Should be able to buy a safe and hilti it into your trunk, bed etc...

Quote:

7: A car alarm like the old Dragon fogger on my old vehicle. ... A car with pink smoke billowing out of the interior gets a lot more attention than just a car alarm.

yes it would.

Quote:

8: Auto-braking on all car models (with the ability to turn it off). On my commute, I have had times where I've witnessed three rear-enders on a trip. Having some method of auto-braking faster than a human can would be useful.

You mean faster than a speeding tailgating human texting instead of watching the road. Space and the stubby pedal next to the long right most pedal does the trick. For those who cannot handle this level of complexity I recommend a bus pass. In reference to the bolded text; If someone is such an oblivious driver would they be smart enough to not turn off this feature or if turned off would they be smart enough to turn it on before their next text message?

Quote:

9: (This intended for smaller cars). Small wheels that lift the car and can move it sideways. I've seen some French cars that can do this for awesome ease with parallel parking. Why bother with the advanced hands-free computer-based parallel parking when the vehicle can just zip sideways into a spot.

You're right, why bother with computer based parking Neat idea, kind of like four wheel steering. If someone can't park their vehicle it's because they are a crap driver with a vehicle that is too large for them to handle. They should get a smaller car a bus pass or this being a bike forum a BIKE.

Quote:

10: Ability to run a vehicle as a generator, shutting down all but a few cylinders,..

I like this one.

Overall I give this list 1.5 out of 10.

01-02-11, 11:19 AM

fordmanvt

1: AWD and 4x4 are not standardized terms. Go drive an AWD Honda and then try a Subaru or Audi and tell me if you think they are the same.

2: HUD has been offered since ~2002. Still too expensive for a commuter car.

6: Thieves will just move on to easier methods. Just like a bike lock it will only delay them.

7: Notification of owner and a dash cam upload to a server would be more effective long term, I don't think we need a parking lot full of fog.

8: Differences in braking ability between systems will cause problems. A sports car with 14 inch rotors goes to full assist and the commuter behind it has no hope of slowing in time.

9: Even small cars weigh over one ton, and yours is approaching two tons. Add another 150 pounds for this.

10: You couldn't use a stock engine or alternator. Engines on the market would rattle themselves apart at a low rpm. The alternator would also have to be changed, or even a second one added. Alternators are heavy already.

01-02-11, 11:22 AM

ilikebikes

A remote control that stops any vehicle right in its tracks. Available only to cyclist.